Saturday, November 28, 2009

So I am featured in the Local Business Spotlight at Johnson Bank in Mukwonago. They have had other businesses in the past, but this marks the first time they have had an artist come in as a local business owner. I am super grateful for Lindsey, who has made this possible. My work will be featured inside the bank from November 30 until December 11 this year. Please make an effort to tell your friends & family, and please don't forget to support your local artists this holiday season.

Friday, November 06, 2009

This isn't a visual art piece. More of a verbal dissertation if sorts.

I've recently learned a lesson in success. What is success? Everyone asks. No one really knows. Does it mean a house? Does that house have to be fancy, or can it just be a house? I guess its how you define it. For me, Success [true Success, always has a capital S.] is basic. Really basic. Doing something I really love while getting paid for it. The price of "knowledge" today is really fucking ridiculous. Knowledge should be free. Why are we paying so much money to something that should be shared. Much like music. And prose. And performance. It means so much more when you can give something away for free to someone who really appreciates it than it does when someone you don't really know pays for it. I will say though- they are a very close tie. It feels so good when someone you don't know buys your work- because they actually like it and haven't known you since birth on. [Sorry, Auntie, but I still am super thrilled that you buy and display my art. I have the distinct opportunity to have my work in a Private collection. YEA!!!!]

Back to my thought. What do I really love? I love to paint, I love to cook, I love to have the opportunity to help out at my son's school no matter how much the little beastlings frighten me. Anyone who knows me, really knows me, knows that I hate most peoples kids. There are some exceptions, who I will not name as you know who you are, or at least your parents know who you are. I've learned that I really do not like working in an office. The first one I worked at [which only lasted a month!] I had my very first anxiety/panic attack. Fucking frightening. The second one I worked at 2 years [only for the resume credit. 2 years looks good. Better than one year.] and nearly divorced my husband. 2 years is 2 years too long to work opposite shifts & still attempt effective communication when you NEVER see each other. So glad I'm done with that. I love my husband dearly. And he loves me. I don't know why, but dammit, he does, and I love him all the more for it. I have been able to spend time with him, just being together. Being broke is always a strain on a relationship, but I'm really trying not to let it be. I hate it too. And I'm trying. I want to be happy. I want us to be happy. [for the record, folks: we are. Very happy. :)] I really love to learn new things. Or at least more about my favorite things. I'm a self taught artist. I am learning as I go, what to do, what not to do. How to run a business [sort of], how to paint to get the effect you want. Really do your homework & plan everything out- down to the fucking brushes you will be using. [Sorry, Sara~! I'll fix it!! You'll love it!] I love to cook. I'm an amateur chef in my own kitchen. Anyone who has eaten at my house can attest to that. Ask Fredward; he'll tell you. I'm get to learn all of the things that my girlfriend learned in her 9 years as a cook & chef all over Milwaukee. I'm super excited about that. [bonus: Joann!! I've missed her for 9 years!]

I have all of these really great things happening in my life- the things I've really worked for- and its all so basic. Simple happiness. Not the 'success can't happen until I've achieved x, y & z' bit. I am grateful I didn't have to work for my family. It came to me; disguised as the lesson I so clearly needed. And learned from. Thank you.

You know what? If all that isn't the definition of my Success, I don't know what is.

Monday, October 26, 2009

So, until Saturday's Art on Murray, I'd yet to have someone ask me what my inspiration was behind a painting; what I was feeling. This painting [below] was the one that prompted the question. The woman who asked was a very soft spoken black woman who had an earthy, and very aware vibe about her. I was a little shocked, at first, because I never thought I'd have to actually explain it in words [the emotions behind a painting]; that has been one of my greatest fears.

As it turned out, I didn't need to say too much. The thought- or emotion- behind this piece is craving a sense of direction. She then explained to me, what she got out of the painting; what she felt that it was about. She had said that it does feel like the figure represents me; the sky is green in my not wanting to conform to society. By my arms swinging, it shows that I am on a journey, going in some direction. With whatever is on my head [headphones], it shows that I don't care what society thinks of me. She felt that it was a very powerful piece. I'd never been so emotionally humbled before. I really wanted to hug her. When she inquired about its cost, I told her she could pay whatever she would like for it. Since she didn't bring money, I gave her my card, and told her to call when she would like it. I would gladly drive it out to Milwaukee for her.

I hope she calls.

Some interesting Quotes of the day:

'Somehow I ended up being 2 poles short of a tent, so we scrapped that idea.'

'You have to be a private camera whore before you can be a public camera whore.'

Friday, October 23, 2009

Be there, or be square, folks. I'll be at Art on Murray, the Art & Harvest festival in Milwaukee, WI. Starting at 1pm, you'll be able to browse through various & talented artists and participate in different activities! After dark, there will be an Oktoberfest Party, so stick around! Buy me a beer, while you are at it!

**If you need directions, know that I'm on Murray Ave between North Ave & Thomas. Its a block. You really can't get that lost. Well, I suppose you could, but really. Google or Mapquest Murray Ave Milwaukee WI. You'll find it. I promise. See you tomorrow!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Hello!! Upon the suggestion of my dear friend Katie [over @ Espresso Love], I put up some of my photos for prints on the DeviantArt website. Some are solely on ceramic mugs, and others are magnets. I will have to mess with the dpi & the pixels to get them as 'fine art' prints, but in the meantime, here you are.

Monday, October 05, 2009

the first ever OnMilwaukee.com-hosted Art on Murray, an art and harvest festival.

This outdoor event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 1 p.m. until 10 p.m., with artists vending until dusk (or later if they choose to do so -- they must provide their own light source -- no electricity is available).

We hope to host around 30 artists for this event, which will have a harvest-themed flair including candy apples, music, pumpkins, games, contests and more. The businesses of Murray Avenue will also be involved that day, vending both food and drink indoors as well as out.

In the evening, the festival will shift from a more family-friendly atmosphere to an Oktoberfest-style celebration with drink, games and music.

I'll be out in Mukwonago during Fall Fest!! I'm setting up shop at Goblin's Glen [aka- Johnson Bank, over by the old Sentry], displaying my artwork & painting on site!! Come out & say hi! See the large canvas I'm working on [70" x 30"] & have the opportunity to pick up some fresh new artwork!!

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Yours truly will be out & about, showing art at the Taste of Whitewater event [September 11-12].

Also, I will be at Johnson Bank / Goblin's Glen in Mukwonago during Mukwonago's Fall Fest [September 19]... In addition to displaying art in Mukwonago, I WILL BE PAINTING ON SITE!!!! Very exciting stuff.. Can't wait to see you all out there, supporting your local artists!

Monday, August 10, 2009

I called her this afternoon to see if she had any ideas for the baby painting, because I hadn't decided if I was going to draw it, paint it or which direction I wanted her to face. She called me back minutes later & suggested that I paint on her belly & take pictures!! Genius! It was a thought I'd had a while ago, but I dismissed it!!! Can you believe that?!?!?!

For taking the time to let me assail you with paint. As you said, it was the first time you'd let another woman touch your belly... and I believe there were some compromising positions, but I digress. :)

For being there, all these years! I think I've known you forever, now.

Your kids were so nice & polite- they asked all kinds of questions and watched in earnest! I was so flattered!!

UN-FREAKING-BELIEVABLE!!! How embarrassing! Thankfully, our memory cards were interchangeable, so she let me take some pics on her camera with my memory card. I was so mad at myself. I really wanted to take some cool shots- some black & whites, different angles.. but her camera would only let me take 14 [!!!] pics on my 32MB card and 7 [!!!!!] on my 16 MB card. I was so irritated, but shit happens, right? I got some pics, so I'm happy with that. It turned out good for the first one. It dried pretty quick too, which I was happy about. This paint comes off really easily in a hot shower- so to the ladies whom I'll be painting next: no worries!

Her kiddos got in on the action, and painted their names after I was finished.

Thanks again!! This is the first of many bellies to come!! Cristina, Tracey, Amy, Nicole- YOU are next!! Whether its an actual painting-on-the-belly or a silhouette [like 7 months], I'm very excited. And you should be too.

Saturday, August 08, 2009

Some things incoherent might come out. *MIGHT* Here's some sneak peeks at some things I'm working on... Everything is mid-way through, & No, I won't tell you what direction I'm going with these. You'll just have to wait & see when they are done.